Ashwatthama – Victory, Achievement & Defeat

Ashwatthama, the son of Drona and Kripi (sister of Kripacharya and daughter of Shardwan Rishi) and Grandson of Bhardwaja.

What was the Ashwatthama prowess in Bhishma’s opinion?

Bhishma said “Drona’s son is a great archer and is superior to all archers. He is colourful in the field of battle and is a maharatha who is firm in wielding weapons.

When released from his bow, his arrows are like those of the wielder of the Gandiva himself (Arjuna) and are linked together in one continuous line (Unstoppable arrows). But I cannot count this brave one in the list of supreme rathas, though this greatly famous one is capable of burning up the three worlds. He has accumulated anger and energy through austerities, while he dwelled in a hermitage. And since he was generous, Drona bestowed celestial weapons on him.

There is no one who is equal to him in either army. On a single chariot, he is capable of slaying even the army of the gods. Through the slapping of his arms, this handsome one can cause mountains to be shattered. The brave one has an infinite number of qualities. He is a striker and his radiance is terrible. He roams around and cannot be tolerated. He is like the god of death (Yama), with a staff in his hand (Yamadnada). He is greatly intelligent and has the neck of a lion. He is like the angry fire that rages at the end of an era. He is capable of pacifying what is left of this war.”

Ashwatthama’s other names (synonyms) used in Mahabharata;

Acharya Nandana

Acharya Putra

Acharya Suta

Acharya Tanya

Acharya Sattam

Drauni

Draunyani

Drona Putra (son)

Drona sunu

Guruputra

Guru Suta

Bhartacharya

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Here is an INDEXof Victory, Achievement and Defeat in Great War (Mahabharata aka Bharata) by Ashwatthama.

“The mighty-armed one is modest. He is like a crazy elephant in his gait. His face is glossy and he is the performer of fierce deeds.

When he was born, Drona gave the wealth of one thousand cows to brahmanas. As soon as he was born, the brave one neighed like Uchchaihshrava and the earth and the three worlds trembled because of this. On hearing this, an invisible voice named him Ashvatthama then.

Arjuna further said to Yudhisthira “If you can, protect Parshata(DhristaDyumana) with all your advisers. With his relative slain, he will now be devoured by the preceptor’s angry son. Even if all of us try, we will not be able to protect Parshata today. He is extremely affectionate towards all beings.”

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Shree Hari…

Mahabharata Lover & Rama's servant
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Drona went in Vana for Tapa (get Narayana Weapon too) in early period and did penance for long time and after request of Bhardwaja he married with Kripi.
He got the wealth from Shantanu and Drupada, as we have references of Shikhandi learning weapons from Drona (Of-course not with Kurus – before that period). Drona were employed in Drupada capital and were teacher of Shikhandi and others Panchala hero’s. He was well aware of Drupada power and wealth as a friend and also as a teacher. His earlier earning resources was Drupada and begging. Latter, he also trained Dhritdyumana to get fame (after kuru’s completed their training -recounted in Chitraratha Parva).

When Ashwatthama was born, Drona had good positions, but day after day, he lost his wealth and there were no more options for earning or he facing financial problem from Drupada. When he married with Kripi, who was the Sister of Kripa, they both were adopted by King Shantanu, so of-course Drona could have got the riches from Shantanu (or Bhishma), the foster father. It was common practice on that era (dowry).

When Drona had minimum wealth or no wealth, he went to Parashurama for riches (as Rama already donated everything) but learned every weapons (every means every) including Bhargava weapon too and gave his battle axe (according Tatparya Nirnya) to Drona and Drona gave it to Bhima latter.

There Drona also got one or two bows from Parashurama and gave it to Arjuna and Arjuna gave it Satyaki. (Puranas and Dhanurveda).
When he returned after 2-5 years, he saw his family situation is too bad and Ashwatthama was happy with rice milk.. (😥). Drona again remembered his friend Drupada and went their for cow or wealth and got nothing, except insult from Drupada.

IMO, Drupada didn’t insulted Drona, however he had just pointed out the difference between a Brahmana and a King and Drona can’t be considered as a Brahmin (Bhishma Parva 9th Night – Discussion between Drona and Ashwatthama). He was greedy for wealth and left the Drupada court for more wealth earning from Parashurama and now Drona was trying to remind his friendship whom left earlier in worst situations (Dasharana attacked on Panchala due to Shikhandi). So, Drupada said there is no friendship between us. you are just a beggar and you may ask anything as Brahmana not as friend, and Drona took that an Insult.